The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Jason Arrasmith called the meeting to order. The following trustees were present: Harris, Bickers, Gadeken, Catron, and Laurent. Clerk Fish, Treasurer Reinhart, and Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey were also present. Trustee Schluter was absent from the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments due to the fact that they public was not invited to this meeting due to COVID-19. The meeting was, however, live streamed from the Village of Sidney’s Facebook page so the public could watch.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular and special sessions of the March 2nd, March 16th, March 23rd, and March 26th meetings. Trustee Catron moved that the minutes of the March 2nd, March 16th, March 23rd and March 26th 2020 regular and special sessions of the Board of Trustees meetings be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then directed resident Terry Carrell to explain why he would like to have his properties at 408 East Victory and 308 South White Streets replotted. Mr. Carrell then explained that since he purchased his property, FEMA now considers part of his properties in a flood plain. He would like the houses and garages to be considered as two separate parcels. The houses are not in the flood plain but the garages are, so the banks would require the purchaser to acquire extra flood insurance before financing a mortgage. He would like to subdivide each property into two lots; separating the houses from the garages so that the banks would not have a problem just financing the houses since they are not in the flood plain. Ted Hartke, with Hartke Engineering and Surveying, did the survey to replot the land and was present at the meeting to answer questions. Attorney Miller advised Mr. Carrell and Mr. Hartke that there would have to be some kind of wording in the title deed stating that one plot could not be sold without the other. Attorney Miller will look into the proper wording for the documentation and the board can vote on it at the next regular monthly board meeting.
Trustee Bickers then made a motion to approve the May 2020-April 2021 meeting dates for the Village of Sidney Board of Trustees. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey stated that he got the tile laid from Washington to Harrison and that the culvert at 15 Southview had been fixed. He also stated that he had called different places to get quotes on dumpsters for Dumpster Days and that Captain Hook was the cheapest at $515 per dumpster; the Village will need about 7 dumpsters. Trustee Catron made a motion not to exceed $4,000 for the cost of the dumpsters; Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey then stated that Logan Jones, last years summer’s help, was interested in working for the Village again this summer and was available now to help if needed since school is out for the rest of the year. Trustee Bickers made a motion to go ahead and hire Logan Jones at a rate of $10.50 per hour; Trustee Laurent seconded the motion. The motion passed with Trustees Bickers, Laurent, Gadeken, and Catron voting aye and Trustee Harris voting nay.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron then stated that investment rates at Longview Bank had increased and asked the board if it might be beneficial to look into transferring the 7 day cd that the Village has invested with Longview Bank into something more long term so the Village could get a better rate. He stated that he would look into it and discuss it further at next month’s meeting.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported that Dennis Cummins with Farnsworth Group had sent him the MFT agreement for the next financial year but he had found some discrepancies with it and wanted to double check with him before going over the project with the board; it will be on next month’s agenda. Trustee Gadeken also stated that he looked into some different radar signs to be placed possibly at each end of town, but definitely putting one before the Dairy Barn. The board liked the idea and it will be put to a vote at next month’s board meeting. Trustee Gadeken also stated that the alleyway behind Tanner’s garage to Washington needed to have the soil regraded where the tile was put in.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris was not able to read the monthly usage reports since we have no one who is licensed to do so. $27,639.90 was received in March. 101 penalty bills were sent. $30,037.68 was billed in March to 531 customers.
Trustee Harris then reported that 2 new catch basins will need to be put in at the alleyway between Scarborough and David Street. It is a safety hazard in the winter time when the standing water freezes. 208 N. White will need a catch basin on either side since the water drains into their driveway. In front of 4, 5, and 6 Dunlap Woods Rd there is also constant standing water; we could bury a tile, cover it with dirt and make it flat. Harrison Street also needs to have a catch basin put it. Trustee Davis received a quote from Davis-Houk for $88,000 and a quote from Aaron Fenter for $41,000 to fix all 4 drains. Trustee Harris made a motion to have Aaron Fenter fix all 4 drains at a cost of $41,000; Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The vote passed with all ayes on a roll call vote, with Trustee Catron abstaining due to a conflict of interest, as part of the repair will cross his property.
Trustee Harris then began by stating that there needs to be a gate put up at Witt Park to keep people from entering after hours. He stated that people drive back by the playground and tear up the property. Trustee Gadeken stated that he will look into getting some prices for power gates with automatic locks.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that there was one permit issued for a fence at 106 South Washington Street.
Trustee Bickers then started the discussion of what to do with the current community building once the new village hall is built. The Village had made a 20 year lease with the American Legion to hold their meetings in the old library space at the current community building. The board would like to gift or sell the entire building to the American Legion, but are not sure if the Legion would accept it due to their limited funds for repairs towards the building. The Village is required by this lease to provide them a space to hold their meetings, however, it does not state that they must have a storage/display area. Attorney Miller will review the lease for further discussion at the next Village board meeting.
Trustee Bickers then stated that with the current COVID-19 crisis occurring that it might be best to pay off the new village hall outright rather than to finance a portion of it. He advised the board members to think about it and be prepared to discuss and vote on it at the next Village board meeting.
Trustee Catron then stated that this was Public Property’s department, but he had recently gone around the Village and found approximately 20 cars that would be considered “abandoned” via our Village ordinance on resident’s properties. Trustee Bickers stated he would get the address for those as soon as he could but he is very busy right now dealing with the new Village hall. Trustee Catron also suggested having the Village sponsor some kind of trade in day of some sort maybe with Mack’s recycling to make it easier for people to junk their cars.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent reported that he has been looking into putting new cameras out at Witt Park to keep an eye out for trespassers. He stated that the ones that are currently out there are outdated and very grainy. He said he found one that he liked at Sam’s Club for $399. Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend up to $500 for security cameras for Witt Park; Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW & OLD BUSINESS
Clerk Fish brought up that one of the residents had contacted her about closing the Village parks due to COVID-19. The board agreed and decided that all parks in the Village of Sidney would be closed off with caution tape the next day and that she should make a post about it on the Village’s Facebook page.
Trustee Gadeken motioned at 8:35p.m. that the board move into executive session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance and/or compensation of a village employee pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1). Trustee Catron seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The board came out of executive session at 9:11pm. The board advised Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey to purchase a power washer.
Trustee Gadeken made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:14pm; Trustee Harris seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments due to the fact that they public was not invited to this meeting due to COVID-19. The meeting was, however, live streamed from the Village of Sidney’s Facebook page so the public could watch.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular and special sessions of the March 2nd, March 16th, March 23rd, and March 26th meetings. Trustee Catron moved that the minutes of the March 2nd, March 16th, March 23rd and March 26th 2020 regular and special sessions of the Board of Trustees meetings be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then directed resident Terry Carrell to explain why he would like to have his properties at 408 East Victory and 308 South White Streets replotted. Mr. Carrell then explained that since he purchased his property, FEMA now considers part of his properties in a flood plain. He would like the houses and garages to be considered as two separate parcels. The houses are not in the flood plain but the garages are, so the banks would require the purchaser to acquire extra flood insurance before financing a mortgage. He would like to subdivide each property into two lots; separating the houses from the garages so that the banks would not have a problem just financing the houses since they are not in the flood plain. Ted Hartke, with Hartke Engineering and Surveying, did the survey to replot the land and was present at the meeting to answer questions. Attorney Miller advised Mr. Carrell and Mr. Hartke that there would have to be some kind of wording in the title deed stating that one plot could not be sold without the other. Attorney Miller will look into the proper wording for the documentation and the board can vote on it at the next regular monthly board meeting.
Trustee Bickers then made a motion to approve the May 2020-April 2021 meeting dates for the Village of Sidney Board of Trustees. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey stated that he got the tile laid from Washington to Harrison and that the culvert at 15 Southview had been fixed. He also stated that he had called different places to get quotes on dumpsters for Dumpster Days and that Captain Hook was the cheapest at $515 per dumpster; the Village will need about 7 dumpsters. Trustee Catron made a motion not to exceed $4,000 for the cost of the dumpsters; Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey then stated that Logan Jones, last years summer’s help, was interested in working for the Village again this summer and was available now to help if needed since school is out for the rest of the year. Trustee Bickers made a motion to go ahead and hire Logan Jones at a rate of $10.50 per hour; Trustee Laurent seconded the motion. The motion passed with Trustees Bickers, Laurent, Gadeken, and Catron voting aye and Trustee Harris voting nay.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron then stated that investment rates at Longview Bank had increased and asked the board if it might be beneficial to look into transferring the 7 day cd that the Village has invested with Longview Bank into something more long term so the Village could get a better rate. He stated that he would look into it and discuss it further at next month’s meeting.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported that Dennis Cummins with Farnsworth Group had sent him the MFT agreement for the next financial year but he had found some discrepancies with it and wanted to double check with him before going over the project with the board; it will be on next month’s agenda. Trustee Gadeken also stated that he looked into some different radar signs to be placed possibly at each end of town, but definitely putting one before the Dairy Barn. The board liked the idea and it will be put to a vote at next month’s board meeting. Trustee Gadeken also stated that the alleyway behind Tanner’s garage to Washington needed to have the soil regraded where the tile was put in.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris was not able to read the monthly usage reports since we have no one who is licensed to do so. $27,639.90 was received in March. 101 penalty bills were sent. $30,037.68 was billed in March to 531 customers.
Trustee Harris then reported that 2 new catch basins will need to be put in at the alleyway between Scarborough and David Street. It is a safety hazard in the winter time when the standing water freezes. 208 N. White will need a catch basin on either side since the water drains into their driveway. In front of 4, 5, and 6 Dunlap Woods Rd there is also constant standing water; we could bury a tile, cover it with dirt and make it flat. Harrison Street also needs to have a catch basin put it. Trustee Davis received a quote from Davis-Houk for $88,000 and a quote from Aaron Fenter for $41,000 to fix all 4 drains. Trustee Harris made a motion to have Aaron Fenter fix all 4 drains at a cost of $41,000; Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The vote passed with all ayes on a roll call vote, with Trustee Catron abstaining due to a conflict of interest, as part of the repair will cross his property.
Trustee Harris then began by stating that there needs to be a gate put up at Witt Park to keep people from entering after hours. He stated that people drive back by the playground and tear up the property. Trustee Gadeken stated that he will look into getting some prices for power gates with automatic locks.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that there was one permit issued for a fence at 106 South Washington Street.
Trustee Bickers then started the discussion of what to do with the current community building once the new village hall is built. The Village had made a 20 year lease with the American Legion to hold their meetings in the old library space at the current community building. The board would like to gift or sell the entire building to the American Legion, but are not sure if the Legion would accept it due to their limited funds for repairs towards the building. The Village is required by this lease to provide them a space to hold their meetings, however, it does not state that they must have a storage/display area. Attorney Miller will review the lease for further discussion at the next Village board meeting.
Trustee Bickers then stated that with the current COVID-19 crisis occurring that it might be best to pay off the new village hall outright rather than to finance a portion of it. He advised the board members to think about it and be prepared to discuss and vote on it at the next Village board meeting.
Trustee Catron then stated that this was Public Property’s department, but he had recently gone around the Village and found approximately 20 cars that would be considered “abandoned” via our Village ordinance on resident’s properties. Trustee Bickers stated he would get the address for those as soon as he could but he is very busy right now dealing with the new Village hall. Trustee Catron also suggested having the Village sponsor some kind of trade in day of some sort maybe with Mack’s recycling to make it easier for people to junk their cars.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent reported that he has been looking into putting new cameras out at Witt Park to keep an eye out for trespassers. He stated that the ones that are currently out there are outdated and very grainy. He said he found one that he liked at Sam’s Club for $399. Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend up to $500 for security cameras for Witt Park; Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW & OLD BUSINESS
Clerk Fish brought up that one of the residents had contacted her about closing the Village parks due to COVID-19. The board agreed and decided that all parks in the Village of Sidney would be closed off with caution tape the next day and that she should make a post about it on the Village’s Facebook page.
Trustee Gadeken motioned at 8:35p.m. that the board move into executive session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance and/or compensation of a village employee pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1). Trustee Catron seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The board came out of executive session at 9:11pm. The board advised Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey to purchase a power washer.
Trustee Gadeken made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:14pm; Trustee Harris seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
RSS Feed